Berlin is reassessing its commitment to the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program and is considering acquiring additional F-35 fighter jets from the United States, reports indicate. The move comes amid escalating industrial disputes and growing doubts over the viability of the ambitious European project, designed to create a next-generation fighter to replace aging fleets.
The potential purchase of more F-35s would represent a significant shift for Germany, which in committed to buying 35 of the Lockheed Martin aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin this year. Sources suggest a further order could exceed 35 units, each valued at over $80 million, deepening Germany’s reliance on American military technology.
The FCAS program, launched in with a projected cost of 100 billion euros, aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter capable of replacing platforms like the Eurofighter Typhoon and the French Rafale by around . However, the project has been plagued by disagreements between its key partners – Germany, France, and Spain – particularly concerning industrial leadership, workshare distribution, and technological control.
The core of the dispute centers on Airbus Defence and Space, representing German and Spanish interests, and Dassault Aviation of France. Airbus reportedly seeks a more equitable division of labor, potentially splitting the project in two, with each company developing its own fighter jet. This contrasts with Dassault’s apparent desire to maintain a dominant role in the program, leveraging its decades of experience in fighter design.
According to reports, Dassault has been seeking up to 80% of the project’s work, a proposition that has fueled frustration in Berlin and Madrid. Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, has publicly argued that his company’s expertise necessitates greater control and decision-making authority, citing national security concerns.
The German government’s growing skepticism towards the FCAS program was publicly voiced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who questioned whether Germany even needs the fighter in its current form. Merz highlighted the differing operational requirements of France and Germany, noting that France requires a carrier-capable, nuclear-capable jet, a capability Germany does not currently possess. He also raised concerns about the cost and necessity of a piloted fighter in the future.
“The French need a nuclear-capable jet that can land on an aircraft carrier,” Merz said. “We do not currently need this in the German armed forces. If we cannot resolve this, we will not be able to continue with the project.”
The impasse within FCAS is not an isolated incident in European defense cooperation. Another next-generation fighter program, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), led by the United Kingdom in collaboration with Italy and Japan, is also facing challenges. Italian officials have reportedly expressed concerns that the UK is not adequately sharing sensitive technologies, hindering the program’s progress.
The difficulties surrounding both FCAS and GCAP underscore a recurring pattern of European struggles to achieve unity in defense matters, according to former Czech Chief of Staff Jiří Šedivý. He noted that similar obstacles arose in previous attempts to develop a joint European battle tank.
“Europe struggles to agree, it’s not the first time,” Šedivý said. He added that while European defense independence from the United States is a stated goal, it remains largely a political aspiration rather than a practical reality.
The potential acquisition of additional F-35s by Germany would provide Berlin with an interim solution to maintain advanced air combat capabilities while it reevaluates its long-term strategy. This move aligns with broader pressure from Washington for European NATO allies to increase defense spending in response to evolving security challenges.
While a final decision on the F-35 purchase has not yet been made, the growing doubts surrounding FCAS suggest that Germany is preparing for a future where it may need to rely more heavily on American military technology to ensure its air defense capabilities. The coming months will be crucial as European leaders attempt to salvage the FCAS program or chart a new course for the future of European air power.
The situation also raises questions about the future of the broader FCAS initiative, with some suggesting a shift in focus towards collaborative elements such as drones and a digital “combat cloud” network connecting manned and unmanned systems. This potential pivot reflects a growing recognition that the future of air warfare may lie less in traditional fighter jets and more in integrated, networked systems.
